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Task Force TOMAHAWK

Beginning in July 2017, the 4th Canadian Division is in High Readiness. This means it’s the turn of the soldiers of Ontario to deploy on domestic and international operations should the need arise.

In preparation for High Readiness, the Division has created TASK FORCE TOMAHAWK (TF TOMAHAWK), a Brigade based on 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) with augmentation from 31, 32 and 33 Canadian Brigade Groups. The goal of TF TOMAHAWK is to be ready for possible deployment on named operations between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018.

Road To High Readiness

The Road To High Readiness

The process of preparing Task Force TOMAHAWK for deployment is called the ‘Road to High Readiness’ (RTHR) and consists of pre-deployment training and exercises in the spring of 2017.

These include:

Ex RUGGED BEAR (Wainwright) – 11-29 Apr 2017

Ex TOMAHAWK FURY (Wainwright) 28 Apr- 3 May 2017

Ex MAPLE RESOLVE 17 (Wainwright) – 14-28 May 2017

Reserve participation on these exercises is crucial to the success of Task Force TOMAHAWK, and, for those demonstrating the grit, may lead to opportunities for deployment on international operations between July 1st 2017 and June 30th 2018.

About TF TOMAHAWK

About Task Force TOMAHAWK

When called upon domestically, Task Force TOMAHAWK (TFTH) stands ready to protect Canadians from natural disasters, lend aid to the civil power, and defend Canadians and Canadian sovereignty.

Task Force TOMAHAWK is capable of providing a variety of force packages deployable on reduced notice to deliver lethal and non-lethal effects across the continuum of operations, at home or abroad. Equipped with world class command and control, Task Force TOMAHAWK is prepared to incorporate joint, inter-agency and multi-national components to enable the national mission.

Join TF TOMAHAWK

Join Task Force TOMAHAWK

Reservists: if you are interested in participating in the work up exercises as part of Task Force TOMAHAWK and want to be ready to deploy after July 2017 if the need arises, talk to your chain of command. Up to 300 Reservists may be selected to augment Task Force TOMAHAWK.

Why “TOMAHAWK”?

Why “TOMAHAWK”?

The Tomahawk namesake for this Task Force was chosen in honour of the Ottawa Valley’s rich warrior culture and was made in consultation and with the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation.

The Tomahawk of the Algonquin people originated as a light, versatile, weapon and tool that could be taken on long journeys inland by foot or over water by canoe.

After encountering the tomahawk in a number of innovative forms, the Algonquin incorporated new technology and ideas to further refine it into a strong, light, metal weapon and tool that took on a number of roles. Useful in peace, a well-crafted tomahawk was also ideally suited to the expeditionary, mobile warfare of the Canadian interior, where quick movement by land and water and the ability to strike decisively and unexpectedly was vital.

The tomahawk played a role in ceremony as well: given as a gift, it was an important demonstration of friendship. At councils of war, a red tomahawk was placed on the ground and if the war-chief lifted it the above his head, it would symbolically become the first weapon raised in the new conflict.

Drawing from the rich warrior culture of Canada’s indigenous peoples, the strength of Task Force TOMAHAWK is generated by the regular and reserve warriors of Ontario and inspired by the tomahawk itself: versatile, quick and effective.